Description

Treat male premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

Dapoxetine, marketed as Priligy (among and other brands) is the first compound developed specially for the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) for men between 18-64 years old. Dapoxetine works by inhibiting the serotonin transporter, increasing serotonin’s action at the post synaptic cleft, so as to delay consequence ejaculation. As a member of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) family, Dapoxetine was initially created as an antidepressant. However, unlike other SSRIs, Dapoxetine is absorbed and eliminated rapidly in the body. Its immediate response makes it suitable for the treatment of PE but not as an antidepressant.

Dapoxetine hydrochloride, a fast-acting serotonin reuptake transporter inhibitor, is generally prescribed for the treatment and management of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in adult male.Due to the lack of specific approval treatment for PE in the US and some other countries, other SSRIs such as Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Fluvoxamine, and Citalopram have been used as clinical drugs to treat PE. Waldinger’s meta analysis shows that the use of these conventional antidepressants increasing IELT about 2-9 time in comparison of three to eight times when Dapoxetine is used. However, these SSRIs must be taken daily in order to achieve meaningful efficacy, and the long half-life increases the risk of the drug accumulation and as a consequence, an increasing adverse effects such as decreasing sexual libido and causing erectile dysfunction. Dapoxetine, on the other hand, is a fast-acting SSRI. It is rapidly absorbed and eliminated from the body within a few hours. This favorable pharmacokinetics minimizes the risk of the drug’s accumulation in the body, and therefore reducing side effects.

Pharmacodynamics

Dapoxetine hydrochloride is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The physiology of ejaculation primarily depends on serotonin and dopamine receptors including 5-HT1a and 5-HT2c. Dapoxetine hydrochloride prevents the reuptake of serotonin transporter. The drug binds with the reuptake transporters of norepinephrine and dopamine and inhibits the reuptake.